The Biggest Game of the Season

Well, Dallas comes off their bye week and travels to Washington (who is also coming off their bye week too) to play what is probably their most important game of the season. If Dallas loses this game, they will be 5-5 and 2 games behind the Deadskins, plus Washington will have the head-to-head tie breaker advantage. And in order to make the playoffs, I really think Dallas will need to be at least 10-6. So, if Dallas loses this game, in order for them to get to 10-6 they would need to win 5 of their remaining 6 games which I'm not sure they can do with road games looming against Pittsburgh and Filthadelphia and home games against New Yawk and a much improved Baltimore team. Basically, Dallas needs to win Sunday night if they want to play in the post season.

The Cowboys will be getting a few players back that have been out with injury. Most importantly, Romo will be back in the lineup for the first time since the Arizona OT loss. However, just because Romo returns doesn't mean all that ails the Cowboys will be fixed. The offensive line must play better, period, if Dallas is to have any shot in this game. I think that Romo's return will provide a spark to the offense because of his play making ability but if the o-line doesn't play well, it won't matter who is in at QB. However, Romo will have a new weapon to utilize he didn't have before he got injured in Roy Williams. Williams will be starting opposite TO Owens this week and Crayton will be the 3rd WR. Hopefully that will make a difference as well.

The defense also gets one of it's injured stars back in Terrance Newman. However, just like Romo, that doesn't guarantee they will play better. Earlier this year when the Deadskins visited Dallas, Newman has an abysmal game and got torched by Santana Moss. That is the one guy that the Dallas defense MUST account for every down. Since he has been with Washington, he has been a thorn in the side of the Cowboys so they really need to keep him in check. Clinton Portis, who ran all over the Dallas defense earlier in the season will be pretty limited, if he even plays at all. Portis has a 2nd degree sprain of the MCL in his knee however Washington has decent backups in Rock Cartwright and Shaun Alexander. But Portis is a major cog in Washington's offense so is he is out, or even limited, that is good news for Dallas.

Call me crazy but I have a good feeling about this game. It may be just blind hope or homerism but I really do think Dallas will find a way to win this game and get back in the playoff race. I think that the return of Romo and Newman plus the injury to Portis will make a difference for both teams and could be the reason Dallas wins. Plus, Dallas is the more desperate team right now. Washington can afford to lose this game and still be in decent shape for contention for a wild card. But if Dallas loses, they are all but out of that and they know it. It think they will play with the drive and determination that Washington played with when they visited Dallas earlier in the season. I'm not saying I think Dallas will win easily but I do think they will win a hard fought game, get their confidence back and start the second half of the season on the right foot.

My prediction: Dallas 27, Washington 24